§ 21. Mr. Dalyellasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he received in February, requesting a lowering of the tax on liquefied petroleum gas: and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Maurice MacmillanThe duty on this gas has not yet been brought into effect. My right hon. Friend the Chancellor hopes to be able to make a statement shortly.
§ Mr. DalyellDoes the Chief Secretary realise that the whole wrangle over L.P.G. is a symbol of something rather more important, namely, the general strategy of the Government as to whether they are prepared to help those things which are anti-pollutant and show a bias against those things which are pollutant?
§ Mr. MacmillanI take the hon. Member's point, but if it is wished to achieve what he said, the fiscal system is not necessarily the best way of doing it.
§ Mr. James HillIs my right hon. Friend aware that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment told me in answer to a question that he would in no way wish to see any tax provisions put on L.P.G., because it is an anti-pollutant?
§ Mr. MacmillanIt is an anti-pollutant whether it is used in vehicles or industrially, and therefore the considerations which must and will be taken into account when my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer makes his statement are wide and very considerable.
§ Mr. TaverneDoes the Chief Secretary realise that his answer to my hon. Friend the hon. Member for West Lothian (Mr. Dalyell) was totally unsatisfactory? Will he explain why he says that fiscal measures are not suitable measures for dealing with pollution?
§ Mr. MacmillanI said that fiscal measures were not necessarily suitable for this purpose. The greatest possible use of the fuel would still leave a large number of conventional petrol and diesel engines which would not therefore be prevented by fiscal means from polluting the atmosphere.